The first report of the five that will be published under the UKCIP08 umbrella, �The climate of the UK and recent trends� was launched by Defra�s Secretary of State, Hilary Benn MP, last week. This report describes observed climate in the UK, setting the scene for the other elements of UKCIP08 which will look at possible climate change for the UK over this century. To request a copy of the report, or to download an electronic version, please go to http://www.ukcip.org.uk/climate%5Fimpacts/ukciP08_Trends.asp .http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/071207a.htm

3. New report from Local Government Association�s Climate Change Commission

The LGA�s Climate Change Commission has published a report which evaluates local government�s achievements in addressing climate change and proposes further action. The Commission concluded that significant progress needs to be made in the local government response to climate change over the next two years, and the reporet suggests that few councils have begun to address adaptation to climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has launched its �Climate Change 2007 Synthesis Report�, providing an integrated view of climate change, based on the three IPCC reports launched earlier in the year. The full report, a summary for policy makers and other supporting material can be downloaded at http://www.ipcc.ch/.

* Sustaining Knowledge for a Changing Climate (SKCC) - Shaping Research for a Changing Climate, 28-29 January, West Bromwich (Booking deadline is Friday 11th January)This two-day workshop will help to shape the future of research into climate change adaptation within the UK�s built environment. In anticipation of a call for proposals in spring 2008 this workshop will suggest how the new programme might be structured and what its priorities might be. The event will involve presentations and participative sessions. For more information, please see http://www.k4cc.org/ or contact graeme.sherriff@manchester.ac.uk.

* Global Impacts of Climate Change: the human dimension, Ecology and Conservation Studies Society. Six free public evening lectures on Fridays, 8 February to 14 March, Birkbeck, London WC1. More information on 020 7679 1069, or e-mail: environment@fce.bbk.ac.uk. Full information will be on the Society's website early 2008 at: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/environment/ and follow the link to the Society page.

* Ethical Corporation�s Climate Change Summit 2008, 12-13 February, London The event will have speakers from high profile business including: British Gas, ASDA, Vodafone, Tesco, Lehman Brothers, IBM, Timberland, Procter & Gamble, The Co-operative Group and a host of others. For more information and the latest speaker line up go to: www.ethicalcorp.com/climate/14. Queries should be made to Ekaterina Kvasova, at ekaterina.kvasovaatXYZxyzicalcorp.com or on +44 (0)207 375 72 26. Attendees who quote �UKCIP� when booking will get an additional �150 off the conference fee.

8. Happy Christmas!

What will we call a snowman by the 2080s?

A puddle!

Festive good wishes for a peaceful Christmas and new year from all at UKCIP.

Chris WestDirector, UKCIP

Based at the University of Oxford and funded by DEFRA, UKCIP helps organisations assess how they will be affected by climate change, so they can prepare for its impacts.

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